Ocean Grove Charter School Minutes OGCS Charter Parent Council Meeting February 20, :00 p.m.

Transcription

1 Ocean Grove Charter School Minutes OGCS Charter Parent Council Meeting February 20, :00 p.m. By Webex Teleconference: Access code: Highway 9 Boulder Creek, CA CALL TO ORDER: Mary Ann Shapiro 2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mary Ann Shapiro 3 INTRODUCTIONS/WELCOME/ROLL CALL: The following parent council members were present: Monique Freed, Louanne Fromm, Sylvia Gonzales, Christie Hicks, Corinna Jennings, Holly King, Melodie Kragh, Therese Labugen, Michelle Longshore, Simone Sprague, Eric Stemm 4 HEARING OF THE PUBLIC: Noah Mackenroth, former Advisor with Ocean Grove and South Sutter Charter schools, expressed concern about the 3 minute time limit for the Hearing of the Public, citing from the Brown Act that a limit of 5 minutes could be enforced if unity of the Board becomes compromised, or if the expressed opinion causes disruption. Within the time frame of 3 minutes, Noah commented on the Common Core State Standards, expressing his opinion that the Common Core is the ultimate one size fits all education. He stated that parents would not be able to see what the student is being tested on. Encouraged parents on the board to vote in accordance with parent choice. Mary Ann informed Noah when his three minute time limit came up, then proceeded to ask if there were any other issues to be brought forth during the Hearing of the Public. There were none. 5 REPORTS The different departments will present brief presentations on their work and changes that are being introduced this year. A. WASC Update: Karen Amesse, WASC Coordinator for OGCS. Karen reported that OGCS is addressing for specific goals in relation to WASC accreditation: 1) Increase high school proficiency in Algebra I. Combined proficient/advanced scores were 35% proficient in 2012, 33% proficient in 2013, reflecting a decrease of 2%. OGCS will be addressing this issue and brainstorming better ways to meet this

2 goal at the All ES meeting scheduled for February 25, ) STAR English Language Arts Proficiency: Goal is to increase proficiency in ELA. This goal has been met. Combined proficient/advanced scores for were increased by 6% for 9th graders, 12% for 10th graders, and 9% for 11th graders. 3) Improve number of students who pass the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) in both ELA and Mathematics in the 10th grade. Meeting this goal. Percentage of 10th grade students passing has increased to 86 88% ELA and 82 89% in Math in ) Increase graduation rate. In 2011, OGCS had a graduation rate of 81.08%, and in 2012, 80.4%, reflecting a decrease of 1%. Our ideal is a 100% graduation rate, and ideas to better meet this goal will be strategized at the next All ES meeting on February 25, Karen reported that a new committee will be formed for the school year to create goals relating to WASC accreditation. Parents, especially from Parent Council, invited to participate. Karen will attend the first Parent Council meeting next Fall to recruit volunteers for this committee. Please contact Karen Amesse with any questions relating to WASC accreditation: kamesse@ieminc.org or Mary Ann asked how the graduation rates were calculated. Karen found the figures online and would re visit the site to gain that information. Eric added that it is a somewhat complicated formula in California. Responding to Mary Ann s question, Eric added that the figures reflect the real graduation rate, given their definition. 6 ACTION ITEMS A. Motion to approve unadopted Minutes from November 5, 2013 Board of Director Meeting. (Call for a motion was accidentally overlooked). Passed by roll call vote: 12 approve, 0 oppose, 0 abstain. B. Motion to approve minutes for Common Core Meeting from February 4, Motion to approve: Corinna Jennings. Second: Sue Greathouse. Passed by roll call vote: 12 approve, 0 oppose, 0 abstain. C. Motion to approve CCSS Funds/Expenditures (OG/CW Implementation Plan, )

3 Christie Hicks asked if more details were available regarding how funding was to be allocated. Eric committed to providing this, and stated that the plan shows allowable expenditures and needs. Eric added that expenditures include trainings and in services for teachers are being explored. Looking for the best workshops as well as CCSS curriculum materials to review. In preparation for the technical needs of assessment, OGCS is negotiating prices to purchase 325 Chromebooks needed for internet access. Christie Hicks asked if the Chromebooks were sustainable? Eric said these are one time only funds, but Chromebooks will be used only for testing, so should last until any further changes in testing are implemented. Christie asked who the authority is that determines how tests are administered. Eric reported that it begins with the State Superintendent of Public Education, then the state Department of Education staff. Eric added that a revolution in education has occurred, the CCSS testing results will not be maintained for this first year, and that it is hard to predict changes. Melodie Kragh asked if the 8% allotted to professional development was enough. Eric stated that training is implemented by sending a few key players to trainings, then developing specific IEM training to ESs, therefore budget is sufficient for this. Melodie asked if ESs are paid to participate in this training? Eric said that it is part of their responsibilities as ESs, and that many trainings are free. Mary Ann added that from an ES standpoint, the training is accessible and time efficient; modules are viewed at monthly faculty meetings and discussed between teachers; not a lot of extra time is asked of ESs. Motion to approve: Sue Greathouse Second by: Holly King Passed by roll call vote: 11 approve, 1 opposed, 0 abstained. D. Motion to approve the EPA (Educational Protection Act) for school year LEA was explained to stand for Local Education Authority, per Eric. Eric also explained that the board is approving and acknowledging where revenues will be allocated and acknowledging where expenses are budgeted. Motion to approve: Corinna Jennings Second by: Sue Greathouse Passed by roll call vote: 11 approve, 1 opposed, 0 abstained. E. Motion to approve revision of Independent Study Policy. Mary Ann explained revision to be the deletion of the phrase face to face when referring to the requirement to meet monthly with an ES. This is to allow for emergency circumstances that would preclude an in person meeting, but as

4 Eric added, it would not change the practice of meeting in person, the advantages of which are relationship building, observing student work, and demonstrating homeschooled students commitment and abilities. Sue Greathouse suggested that the word emergency and the criteria for an emergency be included in the policy. Eric stated that an emergency procedure is under development, and if necessary, the ES would refer to that document when determining if an alternate means of meeting is appropriate. Christie Hicks asked if parents who go on educational trips with students could would be able to Skype under this revision. Eric said that definitions will be developed as to what constitutes an emergency. Mary Ann added that voting for this revised policy is the first step in implementing the changes: first step is to vote to consider unusual circumstances. Eric added that the next step is Administrative Regulations. The policy is adopted, then Administrative Regulations give more details and how it can be implemented administratively. Eric welcomes all further suggestions on this topic. Please contact Eric Schoffstall or Mary Ann Shapiro directly. Suggestions will be brought back to the appropriate team to address. Christie Hicks asked if this could be added to the next Board Agenda to re visit. Eric said yes. Motion to approve: Monique Freed. Second by: Corinna Jennings Passed by roll call vote: 10 approve, 2 oppose, 0 abstain. F. Motion to remove Becky Cote as a signee for Ocean Grove Fundraising account at Schools Financial Credit Union and replace with Kirstine Bowers, Ocean Grove Administrative Assistant. Mary Ann explained that Becky Cote, former Director of OGCS, was on this account, now need Kirstine Bowers, Administrative Admin as a signer on the account. Christie Hicks asked who is responsible for reporting the fiscal activity on the account Kirstine would be signing on. Mary Ann said that as Educational Liaison, she would be. Mary Ann added that the account is used for graduation and other student needs not covered by instructional funding. The statements for this account are forwarded to the IEM accounting department and are audited. Christie asked in there is a fundraising committee the signers are part of. Mary Ann replied that there was, but currently there were no parents signed up to participate on this committee. Mary Ann added that there is plenty of money to meet the needs of graduation this year. Mary Ann also stated that all purchases are first approved by the Board of Directors. Motion to approve; Sylvia Gonzales Second by: Sue Greathouse Passed by roll call vote: 12 approve, 0 opposed, 0 abstained.

5 7 DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Committee explanations: Mary Ann stated that parents are needed to serve on committees. It is ok to volunteer for a committee, even if a parent doesn t serve on the OGCS Board of Directors. Julia Keller, Education Liaison was here to answer questions regarding GEAs and graduation. There were no questions to be addressed. Mary Ann reported that currently there are no parents on the Graduation Committee, and is asking for volunteers. Members are also requested to serve on the Standing Committee, which hears cases wherein a family wishes to appeal a disciplinary action the school may take on a student (i.e., expulsion). The Standing Committee reviews the situation and offers a recommendation. Meetings are held by phone. Holly King volunteered to serve on the Graduation Committee, and Monique Freed offered to serve on the Standing Committee. STAR Committee: Mary Ann reported that STAR testing is no longer used, but instead we will be using the new test system. Parents don t need to be involved this year (pilot year), but help will be requested next year (implementation year). With the new system there will be need for more formal set up, so help is needed. Further explanations to follow as they are known. B. Graduation runners, decorations. Help is needed at this year s graduation ceremonies. The event will occur in San Jose at Le Petit Trianon Theater. Volunteers serve mostly at the event itself, helping with set up and general help at ceremony. Graduation is planned for May 22 this year. Please contact Mary Ann or Kim Beaumont if you can help. C. Upcoming Board Elections: Candidates may nominate themselves or parents may nominate other OGCS parents, or an ES may nominate a parent to fulfill a term on the Board of Directors. Ballots will be sent out via parent listserve during the election in April. Contact Mary Ann or Kim Beaumont if you are interested in participating. All terms ar 2 year terms. Kim Beaumont will send out individual s to current board members informing them of their term status. Melodie Kragh asked if the school s vision could be plainly stated on website, so that a potential board member knows this. Mary Ann agreed with the suggestion, asked Melodie to her to remind. Sue Greathouse asked if criteria could be published regarding possible Conflict of Interest for potential board members. Mary Ann will list this criteria within the requirements to serve on the Board of Directors. Mary Ann noted that once a term ends, the parent must wait one full school year before re nomination to the Board of Directors.

6 ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS Eric Stemm asked if all public schools in California, even specific charter schools such as OGCS are required to participate in the Common Core Standards. Eric Schoffstall replied that there were. Eric Schoffstall stated that OGCS is responsible for state content standards as well as Common Core Standards. IEM has never lost its vision for changing public education by providing choice. OGCS represents a different educational model, emphasizing individualized learning plans and parent choice. We are required to demonstrate competency within the standards, but type of curriculum will always be an option. In referring to a question regarding high school credit, Eric specified that when A G high school courses are needed, the school needs to align with those required curriculum. In response to a question from Corinna Jennings, Mary Ann elaborated on the CCSS professional training for ESs: Ocean Grove ES are receiving CCSS training in general and specific to our school s model. The goal is to establish a broad based understanding of CCSS while maintaining parent choice. Further Mary Ann believes that CCSS standards are more compatible with what OGCS students do: they offer an interdisciplinary, in depth approach, and students use the knowledge they gain. ADJOURN Motion to adjourn: Michelle Longshore Second by: Monique Freed Minutes submitted by Kim Beaumont, Secretary/Parent Support for Ocean Grove Charter School.